New Haven, Conn. -- The Adelphi University women's basketball team survived a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Southern Connecticut State University Owls, in which they were outscored by a 36-25 margin, to edge out a 82-78 Northeast-10 Conference victory at the Moore Fieldhouse in New Haven on Saturday afternoon.

Sierra Clark again had a big day for the Panthers (16-8, 9-7 NE-10) off the bench, pacing all scorers with 27 points -- with 21 coming in the second half -- adding 10 rebounds for a double-double and blocking three shots. Ashley Gomez chipped in 18 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Julia Gnieser and Tara Flynn combined for 18 points, five assists and five rebounds. For the Owls (14-9, 7-8 NE-10), Jackie Bethea recorded her 14th double-double of the season, tops in Division II, with 23 points and 12 rebounds while Taylor McLaughlin added 21 points.

Both teams were plagued by foul trouble in the contest, as Samantha Brenner and Calli Balfour both fouled out for the Panthers, while Danielle Powell and McLaughlin fouled out for the Owls. As a result, the two squads found themselves at the line often on the afternoon, with the Brown and Gold going 20-31 (64.5%) and the Blue and White knocking down 17-23 (73.9%).

With the two teams evenly matched to start, the Panthers gave themselves some breathing room with a 7-0 run in the middle of the first period that turn a slim 9-8 edge into a 16-8 lead. Over the final 3:39, however, the Owls showed some of the fight that would be on display late in the game as they ran off a 7-0 run to make it a one-point, 16-15 game headed to the second period. 

With 6:47 to play until halftime, the Owls took their first lead at 20-18 behind a McLaughlin triple, but the Brown and Gold used a 13-2 scoring run from that point to turn the period around and take an nine-point lead into the break, 31-22. Over than stretch, Gomez, Natalie Fekula, Niajah Morgan, Lauren Nuss and Clark all put points on the board, with Clark's final bucket coming at the buzzer.

A high-scoring third period also went in favor of Adelphi, as the Panthers edged a 26-20 scoring advantage in the frame to open up a game-high 15-point lead. Gnieser and Nuss each knocked down triples in the early going to affirm Adelphi's double-digit advantage, and Clark scored nine of the Panthers' final 12 points of the period to put the visitors ahead, 57-42, headed to the final period. 

The Owls saved their best for the final period, even though both teams again traded buckets to start. With Adelphi leading by 12 off a Clark jumper with 2:12 to go, the Owls ran off the next 10 of the next 11 points -- as the Panthers were unable to record a field goal and sank just one of four free throw opportunities -- in just over a minute of action to transform the contest into a one-possession game, 78-75 with 44 seconds to play. With the clock against them, however, the home team was forced to foul and Gomez and Gnieser came up with the goods; the pair sank all four free throws to nearly put the game out of reach. Bethea put in the game's final basket and one as time expired, but the horn allowed the Panthers to come away with their third straight win.

The Panthers return home on Wednesday, February 10th for a 5:30 pm tip against the College of Saint Rose. 

NOTES
- Adelphi head coach Heather Jacobs recorded her 99th career win at Adelphi, giving her the opportunity to crack the 100-win milestone at home on Wednesday.
- Sierra Clark scored over 20 points for the fifth time this season, making her Adelphi's leading scorer with 14.0 ppg.
- The Panthers will celebrate Think Pink night on Wednesday, February 10th. All fans are encouraged to wear pink!

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About Adelphi University Athletics
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009 and in the past six seasons has collected 16 regular season conference titles, 21 tournament championships, 27 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 President's Cup twice (2013 and 2014), while winning five NCAA Division II National Championships.

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